Georgia’s president fights controversial ‘foreign influence’ law

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court on Thursday, demanding the suspension and repeal of the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law, which has sparked months of protests that she has opposed.

In a written statement, the Georgian Constitutional Court announced that President Zurabishvili’s petition against the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law has been received.

No information was provided on when the court would hold a session to discuss the petition.

Zurabishvili argues that the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law opposes Georgia’s integration with Europe and considers it unconstitutional.

Controversial law that sparked protests

Protests began in Georgia after the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” bill was introduced in parliament in April.

The legislation requires organizations in Georgia that receive over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence” or face fines.

The ruling Georgian Dream Party introduced the bill in April, and it was passed in parliament on May 14.

President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the law on May 18.

However, on May 28, the parliament overrode Zurabishvili’s veto by 84 to 4, passing the law again.